108: Chapter 108 Xiao Feng's Secret Plot! Life Within the Cave

"What a huge spider!!!"

A shrill scream, like a clap of thunder, instantly shattered the tense atmosphere of the Dragon God Tribe's battle preparations!

"What?!"

Qin Yu's expression darkened abruptly, and he looked up toward the entrance of the valley.

At the edge of the dense rainforest, an incredibly massive black shadow, like a small mountain, was slowly squeezing its way out of the woods!

It was a prehistoric giant spider, its size comparable to an armored vehicle, its body covered in black bristles!

It had eight long, jointed legs that resembled sharp spears!

Its abdomen was highly distended, its surface covered in eerie, blood-red patterns!

The most hair-raising part was its head!

Densely packed together were at least a dozen compound eyes shimmering with an eerie green light!

At this moment, those compound eyes were staring fixedly at the Dragon God Tribe's valley!

And behind it followed hundreds of ordinary spiders, slightly smaller but equally hideous and terrifying!

They formed a black tide of spiders that made one's scalp tingle!

"It's a 'Giant Spindle Spider'!"

Information about this prehistoric creature instantly flashed through Qin Yu's mind!

An extremely ferocious apex predator with an intense sense of territoriality!

Their spider silk was incredibly tough, comparable to steel cables!

Their venom was even more lethal, killing instantly upon contact with blood!

But why would they suddenly appear here?!

Their nest should be in the marshlands dozens of kilometers away!

"On guard!!"

Chen Xiao was the first to react, letting out a roar!

All the Valkyries instantly entered a combat state, raising their weapons and forming a defensive formation!

The female archers on the arrow towers also drew their bows and notched arrows, aiming at the massive spider leader!

The atmosphere in the valley instantly became explosive!

However, just as the battle was about to break out!

"Don't... don't shoot!!"

A familiar but incredibly weak voice suddenly came from behind the giant spider!

"It's... it's us!!"

Everyone looked closely and was shocked to discover something!

On the back of that Giant Spindle Spider, several people were actually lying!

The one leading them was Zhou Jing!

At this moment, she was in an extremely wretched state; her animal skin skirt was tattered, revealing large areas of pale skin and crisscrossing wounds.

Her face was as pale as paper, but her eyes remained startlingly bright!

Behind her followed three female scouts of the Dragon God Tribe, also covered in injuries!

They were firmly bound to the spider's back by translucent, sticky spider silk!

What on earth was going on?!

Not only had Zhou Jing returned alive!

But she had actually returned riding such a terrifying monster?!

"Open the valley gate!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Qin Yu's eyes, but it was mostly understanding.

He waved his hand and gave the order.

The heavy valley gate slowly opened.

Under Zhou Jing's soothing, the Giant Spindle Spider actually walked into the valley step by step, quite docilely.

Its "little brothers" remained outside the valley, not daring to cross the line.

When the giant spider reached the center of the valley, Zhou Jing slid off its back as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

She stumbled and almost fell to the ground, but was fortunately supported by Chen Xiao.

"King!"

Ignoring her own injuries, Zhou Jing pulled a simple map made of animal skin from her bosom and handed it to Qin Yu with trembling hands.

"Fortunately... I have fulfilled the mission!"

"Maps for the entire five-hundred-meter range in front of the crypt!"

"Monster distributions, trap locations, patrol routes..."

"All... all of it is here!"

Her voice was full of tremors due to weakness and excitement.

Qin Yu took the map and unfolded it, his pupils shrinking abruptly!

This was no simple map!

This was practically a professional-grade military operational map!

Using different colored dyes, it clearly marked main roads, forks, water sources, and various monster nests!

Even potential visual blind spots at certain corners were carefully noted by her!

"Well done."

For the first time, Qin Yu showed unconcealed praise on his face.

"This has exceeded my expectations."

He glanced again at the Giant Spindle Spider, which was still lying docilely on the ground.

"As for it..."

"I... I took the liberty of taming it," Zhou Jing explained, catching her breath.

"We discovered this Broodmother laying eggs deep within the crypt."

"It had been heavily injured by an even more powerful subterranean creature."

"I... I used the medicinal herbs you bestowed to save it, and helped it kill the monster that attacked its nest."

"So, it... it was willing to obey my commands."

Zhou Jing's explanation was understated, but Qin Yu could imagine how thrilling and perilous the process must have been!

This woman not only possessed professional military qualities, but also courage and wisdom beyond ordinary people!

A talent!

This was absolutely a rare talent!

Qin Yu's evaluation of Zhou Jing rose another level in his heart.

"From today on, you are the first Commander of my Dragon God Tribe's Scout Battalion!" Qin Yu announced publicly!

"This 'Giant Spindle Spider' will be your exclusive mount!"

"You and your Scout Battalion will become the eyes and ears of my Tribe!"

"Responsible for all reconnaissance, infiltration, and intelligence gathering!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was shocked!

Especially the surrendered soldiers from the former Hope Barrier; their gazes toward Zhou Jing were filled with endless envy and... jealousy!

It hadn't even been a day!

She had gone from a prisoner to be humiliated at will to one of the high-ranking members of this powerful Tribe!

She had her own unit and an exclusive powerful mount!

This was practically a meteoric rise!

Zhou Jing herself was stunned.

She had thought that being able to keep her life was already a great mercy.

She never expected Qin Yu to give her such high status and trust!

A strong impulse, known as 'a soldier dies for the one who recognizes their worth,' surged into her heart!

"Your subordinate... Zhou Jing!"

She knelt on one knee, her right hand over her heart, performing a military salute she had once only given to the highest commander!

"I swear my life in loyalty to my King!"

This time, there was no longer any reluctance in her voice, only heartfelt fanaticism and loyalty!

...

Meanwhile.

In the dark and damp Slave camp at the far west of the valley.

Xiao Feng was sitting with several of his former trusted subordinates, gnawing on black bread so hard it could almost break their teeth.

All of their faces were branded with that hideous, shameful dragon-head mark.

Especially Xiao Feng; the brand on his face had nearly ruined half of it.

"Brother Feng... are we... are we really going to be Slaves for the rest of our lives?"

Zhang Chao, a former Captain who had lost an arm, asked in a low voice, his face full of resentment.

"Doing the most exhausting work every day, eating food worse than what's fed to pigs and dogs..."

"I... I can't take it! I'd rather die!"

"Die?"

Xiao Feng gave a cold laugh, a venomous light flashing in his eyes.

"Dying like that would be too easy on that bastard named Qin!"

His gaze swept over his trusted subordinates, who were also full of resentment.

"Brothers, I know everyone is holding back a grudge!"

"But, now is not the time!"

Xiao Feng lowered his voice, his eyes flashing with a light that was both crazed and cunning.

"I've heard that the guy named Qin is about to organize a team to explore that terrifying crypt that devoured dozens of our brothers!"

"This is our chance!"

"Chance?"

Zhang Chao and the others were all stunned.

"That's right! A chance!"

A hideous smile appeared on Xiao Feng's face.

"The terrain in that crypt is complex and full of dangers! Once inside, it's far beyond anyone's reach. No matter how powerful Qin Yu is, can he guard against us every single moment?"

"As long as we find the right opportunity and give him a stab in the back at a critical moment!"

"Or simply trigger a cave-in and bury him and his women alive inside!"

"When the time comes, the Dragon God Tribe will be leaderless, and we can take the opportunity to seize back power!"

"Will... will that work?"

One trusted subordinate hesitated.

"That Qin Yu is practically a monster!"

"So what if he's a monster?!"

Madness flickered in Xiao Feng's eyes.

"As long as it's a living creature, it has weaknesses! I don't believe he's unkillable!"

"This is our only chance!"

"Either stay in this dark Slave camp and be pigs and dogs for the rest of your lives!"

"Or follow me and take a gamble in the crypt! Gamble for a chance to be human again!"

"Which one do you choose?!"

Under Xiao Feng's instigation, the eyes of those trusted subordinates also gradually ignited with the flames of madness.

"Let's do it!"

Zhang Chao slammed his fist onto the ground!

"Brother Feng! We all listen to you! Tell us what to do, and we'll do it!"

"Good!"

A satisfied smile appeared on Xiao Feng's face.

He could already see the scene of Qin Yu being buried alive deep underground, screaming in despair!

However, none of them noticed.

In a dark corner behind them.

A female soldier from the former Hope Barrier, responsible for bringing them food, quietly retreated after hearing all of their conspiracy.

There was no expression on her face as she walked quickly toward the largest tent in the center of the valley.

A few minutes later.

Zhou Jing knelt respectfully before Qin Yu, reporting the intelligence she had just received from that female soldier word for word.

"...King, that is all of Xiao Feng's conspiracy plans."

After finishing her report, Zhou Jing waited quietly for Qin Yu's judgment.

She had thought Qin Yu would be furious and then order Xiao Feng and the others to be executed immediately.

However, after listening, Qin Yu didn't even have a trace of anger on his face.

He just stroked his chin with interest, a playful, demon-like smile appearing on his face.

"Want to kill me underground?"

"Interesting, truly interesting."

Qin Yu slowly stood up, walked to the tent entrance, and looked at the dark entrance of the unknown crypt that was about to be explored in the distance.

The corners of his mouth slowly curled up.

"Since they want to go in so badly... to be 'heroes'."

"Then I'll just grant their wish."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a coldness and cruelty that suggested he controlled everything.

"Pass down my order!"

"Tomorrow morning, everyone sets out!"

"Let our 'Colonel' Xiao Feng and his most loyal 'subordinates' serve as the..."

"First echelon vanguard for this great exploration of ours!"